58 Inviting Entryway Ideas That Set the Tone for Your Home

Jaqui Seerman, the designer of this elegant entryway idea, says, “My favorite part of transforming the entry vestibule was reframing the opening to the hallway with a fully arched design instead of a standard one.” Sure, the foyer would’ve looked just as beautiful with a squared doorframe, but the rounded arch gives it a luxurious feel.

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Opting for durable and easy-to-clean flooring in your entryway, such as tile, is practical for handling dirty shoes. However, Allison Lind elevated this idea by selecting two-tone tiles, adding a striking and beautiful element to the foyer floor. In this particular home, the two-tone design not only adds visual interest but also thoughtfully nods to the home’s original design.

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Designer Anna-Wooten Loggins wanted a more intimate foyer for her client Lindsey Johnson, the CEO of Weezie. To help make this happen, she tapped artist Catherine Owen to hand-paint a mural on the walls and around the French doors. Now, the entryway has an undeniable charm while still feeling inviting.

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Your entryway is one room that you shouldn’t want to feel untouchable—it’s where you kick your shoes off, throw your coat on the hook, and drop the groceries as you’re unloading the car. It should be able to take some roughness, which is why designer Allison Willson chose to put in features you didn’t have to tiptoe around in this entryway, like the reclaimed cobblestone floors. “Everything’s tumbled, everything’s chipped…so you can really just feel relaxed,” Willson says.

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Use your entryway idea as a little teaser to what the rest of your house looks like—in the case of this Jersey City home by Elaine Santos, that’s bright and airy. The uncluttered, open entry shows you exactly what you’re walking into: a beautiful and timeless home.

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The most striking feature in this entryway is the Karastan rug that runs up the stairs and down the hallway, creating a pathway into the rest of the house, as designer Erin Shakoor puts it. This is an excellent way to add visual interest to your foyer if your staircase is right in front of your door.

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If a hand-painted mural isn’t in your budget, go with a visually striking wallcovering for your entryway wall instead. There’s no denying that this textural wallcovering from National Solutions is stunning, and the designer of this home, Philip Thomas Vanderford of Studio Thomas James, added another beautiful layer to the foyer with the custom black-and-white floor tiles.

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Whether you’re coming or going, having a nice prep station to check your hair and sit to put on your shoes in your entryway is a luxury you won’t be able to live without once you’ve had it. This warm and colorful foyer by Cecilia Casagrande has it all: A large mirror, a soft bench, plenty of lighting, and beautiful wallpaper that’ll look so good as the background in your mirror selfies.

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An easy way to add character to your entryway walls is through millwork. Designer Kate Marker did not hold back when it came to beautifying the walls of this subtly feminine entryway idea. Painting the trim along the ceiling the same color as the decoration on the walls ties it all together so well.

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It can be difficult to find pieces that fit perfectly into the weird little nooks of your home, so the solution might lie in customization. Mark D. Sikes customized the settee for this specific entrance nook, giving it an antique look with the Oscar de la Renta for Lee Jofa fabric.

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The leaded glass windows surrounding the front door of this entryway are rare treasures, seldom found elsewhere. Designer Ryan Austin Hagood creatively combined these unique architectural details with new oak flooring and the original chandelier, highlighting the distinct character of the home. Such an impressive and thoughtful entryway sets the tone for how special the rest of your house is going to be. What an unforgettable first impression!

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Honor your home in the entryway with a little vignette that encompasses the overall vibe of your house. “The client and I absolutely fell in love with this piece,” says Samantha Stathis Lynch of the wall art by Marcy Cook Vreeland. “It encompassed all of the colors in the designs, and the abstract floral spoke to the apartment’s Central Park inspiration.”

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Anyone with an extensive art collection is familiar with the problem of not knowing where to hang every piece. Expanding your gallery into your entryway is a beautiful way to welcome people into your home while immediately displaying its style. Melinda and John Thomas James of M. James Design Group did exactly that in their Houston pied-à-terre.

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Related: 45 Stylish Wall Decor Ideas for Every Room

Sure, painted front doors can be beautiful, but a sleek and bright steel-and-glass front door is a game changer for your entryway idea. Architect Jeffrey Dungan replaced the solid front door in this Kansas City home with this custom one, letting natural light stream in and allowing the view of the outside to be a feature in the design.

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Related: 50 Prettiest Colors to Paint Your Front Door

Unique houses often come with unique features, and whether or not your home’s entryway already has one, an alcove is a handy place to hang coats, hats, and other outdoor necessities. It also creates such an interesting design moment as soon as you walk in. The team at Shapeless Studio leaned into the personality of this post office turned home, preserving odd little nooks like this one and giving them new purposes.

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Related: 12 Closet Remodel Projects That Will Transform Your Space

Lacquered walls are always impactful, and your entryway should be one of the most high-impact rooms in your house. Designer Katie Davis chose glossy olive green for the walls and coffered ceiling to give this room added dimension.

Related: What It Actually Takes to Lacquer Your Walls